Children's Museum of Manhattan to Host Festivals Showcasing the Best of the Arts Thru 4/3

The Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is hosting the Best of the Arts Festival and the Best of the JAZZ Arts Festival showcasing New York City's finest in dance, performance art and jazz. The festivals feature lively performances by New Victory Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Garth Fagan Dance, and Dance! Out Loud with Jennifer Muller/The Works and WeBop presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center. The festivals serve to make the arts accessible to children and help bring an appreciation for jazz music to a new generation. Best of the Arts Festival takes place March 27-28, 30-31 and Best of the JAZZ Arts Festival takes place April 2-3, 2010.

"Despite being in a city as culturally rich and diverse as New York, performing arts may not be readily accessible to children, especially given budget cuts and limited funding for art programs in schools," said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Manhattan. "CMOM is responding to this need by bringing the best and the brightest of New York City music, dance, theater and visual arts to all children to enrich their lives, cultivate a love for the arts and prepare them with the creative tools to become innovative leaders of tomorrow."

The Best of the JAZZ Arts Festival features performances by WeBop presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center and a reading of Jazz Baby by author/illustrator R. Gregory Christie while Danny Grissett and Patrizia Ferrara perform. Performers in the Best of the Arts Festival include Garth Fagan Dance, a world-renowned modern dance troupe led by distinguished choreographer Garth Fagan; Ballet Hispanico, the foremost dance company fusing Latin dance elements with classical and contemporary forms; Dance! Out Loud with Jennifer Muller/The Works, known for its energetic, organic movements; and the New Victory Theater (New Vic), New York City's first and only full-time performing arts theater for kids, their families and classmates.

The Best of the Arts and Best of the JAZZ Arts Festivals continues CMOM's commitment to creating innovative, arts-based programming for children. Late last
year, CMOM joined The New Victory Theater for a year-long program called Play's the Thing to encourage families to integrate arts and creativity into their daily lives. CMOM is a leader in creating and implementing innovative and engaging programs that reach a wide audience of children and families. The museum presents exhibitions, workshops, performances and other learning opportunities created by a team of professionals and scholars to provide educational opportunities that help children from diverse ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds develop their minds during their most formative years.

Best of the Arts Festival (Upcoming Performances)

Performance: Dance! Out Loud with Jennifer Muller/The Works
Wed, March 31
2 & 3pm | 3 & older
Energetic, inspired, electrifying! The Works happily returns to CMOM, bringing exciting dance moves to delight the hearts of children and adults alike!

Best of the JAZZ Arts Festival (Upcoming Performances)
Performance: Jazzy Reading
Fri, April 2
2 pm | all ages
Learn about melodies and jazz improvisation as author/illustrator R. Gregory Christie reads Jazz Baby while Danny Grissett and Patrizia Ferrara perform.

Performance: WeBop®
Sat, April 3
3 pm & 4 pm | all ages
Jump, jive, wiggle and giggle along with jazz favorites. Presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Best of the Arts Festival (Previous Performances)
Performance: Garth Fagan Dance
Sat, March 27
2 & 3pm | 3 & older
Enjoy this company, renowned for its pioneering Signature technique and the diversity and power of its dancers.

Performance: Play's The Thing: Parallel Exit
Sun, March 28
2 & 3pm | 3 & older
Parallel Exit clowns around in advance of their spec-tap-cular show TIME STEP at the New Victory Theater in April! Presented by The New Victory Theater.

Performance: Ballet Hispanico
Tues, March 30
2 & 3pm | all ages
Ballet Hispanico thrills audiences with its magnetic energy and dynamic exploration of the Latino Diaspora. The Company performs a range of modern dance styles, always celebrating the rich heritage of Hispanic cultures.

About Children's Museum of Manhattan

Founded in 1973, the Children's Museum of Manhattan is New York City's leading cultural institution dedicated solely to children and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds. For details on all of CMOM's programs, please visit www.cmom.org or call 212.721.1234.

# # #